Final answer:
The Texas cattle industry originated from Spanish cultural influences, specifically through the Spanish introduction of cattle to the American Southwest and the ranching techniques of Mexican vaqueros.
Step-by-step explanation:
The origins of the Texas cattle industry are deeply rooted in Spanish influence. Cattle were unfamiliar to the Americas until European arrivals. It was not until Christopher Columbus and succeeding Spaniards like Cortés brought cattle over that cattle ranching began to take shape in the American Southwest. The longhorn cattle, in particular, arrived with Spanish missionaries and thrived in the region of Texas, becoming emblematic of the burgeoning industry there. The practice of cattle ranching and the cultural influence of the Mexican vaqueros, who were adept at handling cattle, shaped much of what became the iconic American cowboy culture.
With the advent of railroads after the Civil War, cattle ranching grew as wild steers from Texas were rounded up to be transported and sold in eastern markets. The combination of Mexican ranching heritage and the expansion of infrastructure for transportation were key to the establishment and explosive growth of the Texas cattle industry.